Homeschool in Colorado

Homeschool Overview

Homeschool is considered a non-public schooling option. Therefore, CDE is not able to advise on homeschool matters. However, we are able to share resources and general information as seen below. We encourage you to please contact the school district where you have or plan to file you r intent to homeschool with regarding questions.

Under Colorado Revised Statute, (§ 22-33-104.5, C.R.S.), home-based education is defined and provides guidelines for the public. While the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) cannot interpret state statute or advise on homeschool matters, CDE encourages review of the following information and resources.

• Homeschooling is considered non-public education, and therefore is not accredited by CDE or by a local school district. CDE is not able to receive letters of intent or help with homeschool set-up or planning. Please send letters of intent to a school district.
• The parent/legal guardian who oversees a homeschool program is responsible for selecting books, supplies, tests, curriculum selection, and any costs associated. A student completing homeschool through a homeschool program is different than a student enrolled at an online school or a public school that allows a student to complete their education at home. 
• There are a variety of external organizations that provide support for homeschool families throughout the state. This link will direct you to the list of resources that have provided their information for this purpose.
• It is important that families, or family support, review and interpret homeschool statute and reach out to their chosen school district with any further questions regarding homeschool matters, including (but not limited to) services for Special Populations, participation in sports or extracurricular activities, and requirements for attendance, assessments, or curriculum.

Getting Started with Home School

A letter of intent must be submitted 14 days before beginning the homeschool program to a Colorado school district of a family's choosing. The family does not submit the letter of intent to CDE. The letter of intent must include the name, age, place of residence, and number of attendance hours for each child that will be participating. Should you begin your homeschooling during the school year, you may prorate the 172 days of instruction requirement against the attendance already completed. Written notification must be re-submitted to a Colorado school district each year.    

Homeschool Requirements

Colorado law states that homeschooling must include, but are not limited to, the subjects of communication skills of reading, writing, and speaking, mathematics, history, civics, literature, science, and regular courses of instruction in the constitution of the United States. Homeschool students must receive no less than 172 days of instruction, averaging 4 contact hours per day.  The selection of curriculum is at the discretion of the parent who is overseeing the homeschooling.  

Records 

Records for each child participating in homeschool must be kept on a permanent basis by the parent who is overseeing the education. 

• The records must include, but are not limited to, attendance, test and evaluation results, and immunization records as required by C.R.S sections 25-4-901, 25-4-902, and 25-4-903. 
• The records must be produced and provided to the school district that received the written notification, not the state of Colorado, at the school district’s request.
• Records verification requests (including transcripts and diplomas) must go to the parent who oversees the homeschooling, or to the district the family filed the letter of intent with. 
• CDE does not receive or house any records related to homeschool.

Assessments 

Students that are participating in homeschooling must have academic progress evaluated in grades 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. CDE is not able to advise on the selection of assessments and there is not a list of allowable assessments. Please contact the school district with which your letter of intent is filed for further questions.

• Students are not required to take the state standardized test, but can take a nationally standardized achievement test or a qualified person, as described in C.R.S. 22-33-104.5(3)(f), can be selected by the parent to evaluate the student’s academic progress. 
• According to homeschool law, the assessments that homeschool students must take are either a nationally standardized achievement test or an evaluation of academic progress administered by a qualified person that the parent selects. 
  • A qualified person is someone who has a Colorado teacher license, is a teacher in an independent or parochial school, is a licensed psychologist, or has a master’s degree in education.
  • The parent works with the qualified person to determine what the evaluation of academic progress would be for the student. Local homeschool support groups may also have more information on what those evaluations of academic progress could be. 
  • The test or evaluation results, whichever is appropriate, shall be submitted to the school district where the letter of intent was filed. 

Homeschool Contact: Janyse Skalla

[email protected]
 

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